Medical retirement and moving to Spain

movetowarmerweather

Hi

I am a chronically disabled man who is in employment but I have been on sick leave for over a year. My consultant has advised me that because my disability is progressive and am not going to improve I should medically retire from work. My employer has medical insurance which they have told me should cover me. My employer has put in a claim and we are waiting for a decision. I have supporting medical evidence. I am seriously thinking of moving permanently to Spain for health reasons, for the better climate and quality of life. I am also on disability living allowance high care and high mobility components and long incapacity benefit.

Does anyone have experience of somebody being awarded a medical retirement pension and moving abroad? I imagine that whether the insurance provider will continue to pay me if I move to Spain will depend on their terms and conditions. However, is there any general advice or experience on whether insurance companies tend to pay?

Many thanks for any help or guidance

allydowd

movetowarmerweather wrote: »

Hi

I am also on disability living allowance high care and high mobility components and long incapacity benefit.

You might want to read this thread:

DLA abroad link

Savvy_Sue

You might also want to look in on the Silver Savers board where we have a tips for living abroad thread, including how to start looking for somewhere! Some of our regulars spend a lot of time in Spain, and it can be flippin' freezin' in the winter!

PolishBigSpender

You should also consider that exchange rates could make it very difficult to live in Spain. Combine this with a basketcase of an economy and you could find it incredibly hard to live there.

You should also consider the fact that the quality of life might not be higher in Spain - in fact, it may very well be worse.

I'd recommend somewhere like Croatia if you genuinely want quality of life and a better climate.

TaBunny

Hey just wanted to say good luck and can I come to Spain with you :-)

krisskross

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

You should also consider that exchange rates could make it very difficult to live in Spain. Combine this with a basketcase of an economy and you could find it incredibly hard to live there.

You should also consider the fact that the quality of life might not be higher in Spain - in fact, it may very well be worse.

I'd recommend somewhere like Croatia if you genuinely want quality of life and a better climate.

We did it, not disabled and i would say our quality of life diminished.

Absolutely freezing cold in winter with houses without insulation, carpets etc.

Can be an extremely lonely life and you need to speak Spanish otherwise dealing with the bureaucracy (and there is a lot of it) becomes an expensive nightmare, having to pay for interpreters etc. Forget any notion of forms translated into a billion languages, they are in Spanish because you will be living in Spain. Doctor will require you to provide your own interpreter, cost about €30 an hour which will include travelling and waiting time.

We actually came back because of medical issues. My husband has a chronic/acute condition and we truly could not get the necessary treatment within the Spanish 'NHS'. We paid privately and it cost over €500 for a single consultation with 1 X-Ray, a blood test and some medication.

Exchange rates at the moment are dreadful, if we were still there we would have lost a third of our income purely on the exchange rate.

You can't get telephone lines or internet everywher, sometimes it has to be expensive satellite connections.

Do you like TV? How many Spanish stations do we receive here in the UK?

Just research thoroughly is my advice.

And if you don't like dogs then don't go to Spain. Incessantly barking dogs and fouled pavements are one of my strongest memories.

allydowd

My partner lived there for three years and loved it. Positive things:

The weather. Just make sure that the house is facing the right direction for the winter.

Prescriptions cost next to nothing. £1 or £2. A doctor's consultation cost nothing. Just showed the doctor a passport.

The local estate agent spoke English and Spanish and was happy to do all the bureaucracy for next to nothing.

Plentiful fruit trees everywhere that neighbours were willing to share.

Negative things:

If you like PG Tips or Tetley tea, take it with you. The nearest Tesco is in Gibraltar!

krisskross

allydowd wrote: »

My partner lived there for three years and loved it. Positive things:

The weather. Just make sure that the house is facing the right direction for the winter.

Prescriptions cost next to nothing. £1 or £2. A doctor's consultation cost nothing. Just showed the doctor a passport.

The local estate agent spoke English and Spanish and was happy to do all the bureaucracy for next to nothing.

Plentiful fruit trees everywhere that neighbours were willing to share.

Negative things:

If you like PG Tips or Tetley tea, take it with you. The nearest Tesco is in Gibraltar!

Really? i think things might have changed a bit.

Prescriptions will actually be free as will consultations with your GP once you are registered. However you will need the E112 which you then take to the Social Security office with your completed forms, copies of 'padron' (electoral roll), certificate of residencia. you will then be told which health centre to go to.

Which direction do you suggest the house should face? I guess you are thinking south but whaat happens when the sun doesn't shine? Or after sunset? Spanish houses are not very well insulated and lose heat quickly. Take it from me we had condensation on all the bedroom windows and walls every morning. Mould is a big problem with the condensation.

We had orange and lemon trees in our garden, there weren't enough to share.

You make it sound idyllic, it certainly can be a lovely lifestyle but the OP really needs to do his homework. Perhaps go and live for a few months to see how he gets on, without burning his boats here in the UK.